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However Smith laid off any talk of giving McCullum any tips in the middle.

''For us it's about making sure we're playing the same way we have been, good, hard aggressive cricket and hopefully that will take care of itself."

Australia have omitted in-form Usman Khawaja for the opening game and have resisted the temptation to play promising legspinner Adam Zampa, opting instead for a four-pronged fast-medium attack, plus the allround skills of Mitchell Marsh and offspin of allrounder Glen Maxwell.

New Zealand have intriguingly brought legspinner Ish Sodhi into their squad for tomorrow.